Robin Gibb, Iconic Star of Bee Gees Rock Group, Dies at 62

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb’s, who helped define music through the ’70s and ’80s with twin brother Maurice and older brother Barry, has died after a heroic fight against cancer and other ailments. He was 62.

The family released the following statement today (May 20).

“The family of Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time,” it said.

Gibb made a miraculous recovery from a coma in April that surprised even his doctors, after he contracted pneumonia.

Attending physician Dr. Andrew Thillainayagam said Gibb is living on “extraordinary courage, iron will and deep reserves of physical strength.”

The legendary singer emerged from a coma against all odds. Doctors were giving him little chance of surviving. He bravely pronounced afterward that he wanted to live no matter what. Gibb said there would “never be a time” when he is ready to die.

Gibb has had multiple health problems. The 62-year-old singer was diagnosed with liver and colon cancer in 2010 but after extensive treatment he appeared to be in remission.

Doctors also discovered he was suffering from a twisted colon, the same affliction that killed his brother Maurice Gibb in 2003. Robin was “in terrible pain and very frightened,” wife Dwina said at the time. “I had to stay at the hospital with him 24/7.”

Doctors also discovered that Robbin needed an operation for a perforated bowel. Robin went forward with the surgery even though he had a 10 percent chance of success. He pulled through again. But that’s when he developed pneumonia.

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Keith Girard is Editor and Publisher of TheImproper, New York City’s cutting edge arts, entertainment pop culture and lifestyle Web magazine. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of Billboard magazine and a reporter for the Washington Post among other media positions.